Europe needs stronger Interreg to boost territorial cooperation

Interreg VII

14 May 24 4 mins read

Participants from 30 European countries, EU Member States and beyond, gathered in Šibenik, Croatia, on 14 May, calling for increased funding and a stronger role for territorial cooperation in the future, especially in view of a possible enlargement of the Union. Current and future challenges of Interreg, one of the best-known programmes of the European Union, were debated during a conference organised by the European Committee of the Regions (CoR), in cooperation with Interact and the Croatian Presidency of EUSAIR.

The 150 million European citizens who live in border regions are the main beneficiaries of projects carried out through Interreg, the flagship programme of the European Union, which has been promoting territorial cooperation across regional and national borders for almost 35 years.

To discuss about how EU policies will be designed after 2027, when the current programming period will be over, the CoR organised a conference on the future of Interreg, in cooperation with Interact and the Croatian Presidency of the EU strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region (EUSAIR). The aim of the event, held on 14 May in Šibenik (Croatia), was to bring to the attention of decision-makers – both at EU and national level – the crucial role that Interreg plays for regions and cities, as well as for cohesion, enlargement and the relations with EU neighbouring countries.

Recent crises – such as managing the arrival of migrants, the COVID-19 pandemic and Russian aggression against Ukraine – have brought new and unprecedented challenges to all of Europe's regions, especially border regions, which are the most exposed. The solution often comes from a combination of knowledge and resources across frontiers, which Interreg is designed to support.

In an opinion on the future of Cohesion Policy, recently adopted by unanimity, CoR's local and regional leaders asked for a post-2027 budget for regional policy that is at least equivalent to the 2021-2027 one in real terms, while Interreg programme should be increased and represent no less than 8% of the total amount. This would permit a reinforcement of cross-border cooperation, which has suffered a slowdown due to COVID-19 restrictions and t Russia's war in Ukraine.

Over 300 participants to the conference looked into ways that future territorial cooperation could target regional needs by setting a strategic vision with more flexibility, synergy, complementarity, and local empowerment for rapid actions. The proposals will contribute to the work of the CoR on this issue, notably through the opinion on the future of European Territorial Cooperation post-2027, which is currently under preparation.

Stella Arneri, Director-General, Directorate for European Territorial Cooperation, Ministry of Regional Development and EU Funds, Republic of Croatia: "If we stop to look back at Interreg results, I am confident that we can firmly advocate for even stronger territorial cooperation in the future with an increased Interreg budget. We are just in time to discuss the necessity of its fine-tuning to better answer the demands of the territories."

Petra Masácová, head of the INTERACT Managing Authority: "A future with a weaker Interreg, a weaker Cohesion Policy, is one where regional disparities grow faster, fuelling discontent. Interreg programmes have supported regional empowerment and implemented solutions to challenges that are most visible at borders, whether the barriers are on access to healthcare, in transport or in protecting our shared environment. Being built on trust gained from years of cooperation and working together, Interreg programmes are effective mechanisms to deliver results that improve the lives of Europeans."